Description:
Strange Function questions involve symbols that you may or may not
recognize. The test makers decide what the strange function does and
expect you to follow their directions.
Approach:
Ignore any preconceived notions you may have about the symbol in
question. Follow the question's directions exactly, and make up numbers if
you are trying to prove an algebraic relationship.
1) These Functions are Made Up
If you see a symbol that you don’t recognize on a math problem, odds are
that the problem involves a “strange function.”
A “strange function” question will define the unfamiliar symbol as a
particular mathematical process, and then ask you to plug numbers
or variables into this function.
2) Practice:
If x & y =
(x + y)⁄x,
what is 3 & 12?
-
3 & 12
-
(3 + 12)⁄3
-
15⁄3 = 5
3) Practice:
x @ y = 2x + 3y
and x % y = 4x + 2y:
If 5 @ m = m % 6,
then m is equal to what number?
